Everything you need to know about Staffordshire Bull Terriers

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier has a rich history where its roots can be traced back to the early 19th century in the Staffordshire area of England. The breed is a cross between a Bulldog and a Terrier. They’re also called "Staffies" or "Staffys" as a shorter, cuter nickname.

At first, people bred Staffordshire Bull Terriers for an awful “sport” called bull-baiting, where dogs faced bulls in a small space. Luckily bull-baiting was stopped around 1850 for being cruel, and people gave these dogs helpful jobs like catching rats. During World War II, Staffordshire Bull Terriers became mascots for the American military. They were even on posters that encouraged people to join the army and became symbols of bravery and loyalty.

Later, responsible breeders focused on making Staffordshire Bull Terriers loyal and loving dogs so they could become family pets. In 1935, the Kennel Club in the United Kingdom officially recognized Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and set rules about how these dogs should look and behave.

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are medium-sized dogs with strong muscles. Their stance is well-balanced where their legs are squarely under their body. They have a broad head, small ears that fold backward and a strong jaw that makes them look like they’re smiling. Their eyes are dark, round and intense. Staffordshire Bull Terriers have a short, smooth coat that sits close to their body. Their tails are usually short and low. The coats for these dogs come in lots of different colours from grey to red to black.

Staffordshire Bull Terriers come in a lot of different colours, because they can be almost any colour or pattern that Bulldogs or Terriers can be. The breed standard colours are:

Staffies can also be any of those colours with white markings. Plus, they can be any shade of brindle. So there's a lot of variety out there!

The typical Staffordshire Bull Terrier temperament is affectionate, loyal, and smart. They can learn new skills fast. You might find they like to test their boundaries so consistent training and positive reinforcement is important. 

They love people and having company, but can be shy and reserved around new people. Staffies need lots of training and socialisation which makes them better for experienced owners.

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are energetic dogs and need around 1 hour of exercise each day. This can include walks, playtime, or running around in a secure area. Keeping them mentally stimulated with toys and activities is just as important as physical exercise.

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are pretty low-maintenance when it comes to grooming. Their short, smooth coat doesn't require much fuss. A good brushing once a week with a grooming mitt or a soft brush will help keep their coat shiny and remove any loose hair. Regular dental care, like cleaning their teeth, is important to keep their pearly whites in good shape. Carefully check their ears, give them a wipe if needed, and keep their nails trimmed.

Staffordshire Bull Terriers can get hip and elbow dysplasia. These can be debilitating conditions where the joints lose proper alignment and become unstable. This can lead to a series of issues over time including pain, swelling, stiffness and arthritis.

Staffies and other smaller breeds can have a luxating patella. This is when the knee cap doesn’t stay in its groove and can pop out to the side. It usually isn’t painful when this happens but can cause problems with walking. Like other breeds, Staffordshire Bull Terriers can also develop cruciate disease where the ligament that holds the bones together at the knee joint gets torn or ruptured, making things unstable. These knee problems may need corrective surgery. 

Like any breed, Staffordshire Bull Terriers can get allergies which might show up as problems with their skin. Allergies can happen because of certain foods or things in the environment like pollen. To handle allergies, it's good to keep an eye on what your dog eats, their surroundings, and ask a vet for advice. Staffies are more likely to be affected by demodectic mange at a young age. This is caused by a mite in the skin. They can also be prone to a skin mass called a mast cell tumour which needs to be removed with surgery. Always get any new skin lumps and bumps checked by a vet.

Cataracts are a common condition in dogs. They make the lens cloud over and reduce vision. In Staffordshire Bull Terriers, this can be hereditary. Regular eye examinations by a vet can help catch and address cataracts early.

Staffordshire Bull Terriers can inherit a metabolic disorder called L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria (L2HGA). This is where L2HG acid collects in the nervous system and leads to problems with movement, coordination, and other neurological issues. There’s no cure for genetic disorders like L2HGA so genetic testing, screening and early detection is important to prevent it from passing on to puppies.